Isien identiteetti lapsen kuoleman jälkeen

Osatutkimus I & II

Authors

• Anna L. Aho Tampereen yliopisto

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to describe the identity of fathers after the death of their child and to assess the effects of the support intervention on the fathers’ personal growth. The research consisted of two parts. In Part I, The sample consisted of eight fathers who had lost a child. The data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire and interviews. The data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. In Part II, the study participants were grieving fathers (intervention group N = 62 and control group N = 41) whose child has died at the age of three years and younger (including perinatal deaths at 22 weeks gestation or fetuses over 500 g) and whose child has died in a university hospital (N = 5) in Finland. The data were collected from the fathers using a questionnaire which consisted of background variables and the variables of the personal growth dimension (12) of the Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist (HGRC). A statistical method was used to analyse the data. The fathers experienced negative and positive changes in their identity after the death of their child that focused on their self, spirituality, values, life, and social relations. The support intervention had a positive effect on the fathers’ personal growth in the intervention group. The personal growth of fathers in the intervention group was stronger compared to fathers in the control group who received routine support from the hospital after hospitalization, and the difference was statistically significant. In conclusion, the death of a child will change a father’s identity and social support can increase a father’s positive personal growth.